THERE are fears that the Copesville community (Ward 29) will take matters into their own hands if relevant authorities fail to fast-track an RDP housing project that was meant to start in 2005.

This according to the ward committee member, Thamsanqa Mbeje, who said when they ask about the delay in the project starting they don’t get straight answers.

He said a meeting was held on Friday at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall, attended by the Msunduzi Municipality, the Department of Human Settlements, contractors involved in various ward project in PMB and the community.

“At the meeting it emerged that the contractor, who is meant to build houses in this area, is facing certain challenges.

“A representative from the municipality confirmed that the municipality had budgeted for 556 houses to be built in one section of the ward, but in another section there is a problem with the shooting range there,” Mbeje said.

He said the area where the shooting range is should be for houses.

“The shooting range does not benefit the community in Ward 29 and now the community says if the matter is not resolved by November 12 they will take matters into their own hands because the municipality and the Department of Human Settlement are not acting fast enough,” Mbeje said.

He added that the community wants the municipality to appoint a new contractor immediately who will, within 30 days of their appointment, state when the housing project will begin.

Mbeje said the contractor stated that another­ delay was due to studies that have to be conducted due to the construction lapsing.

Msunduzi Municipality spokesperson, Thobeka Mafumbatha said: “The reason for the delays is that the owners of the shooting range has objected to the project and stated that the proposed development will be located in their buffer zone.

“The shooting range objection is subject to the court case, which cannot be detailed in the media, but the municipality is making good progress in resolving the matter.”

The shooting range does not benefit the community in Ward 29 and now the community says if the matter is not resolved by November 12 they will take matters into their own hands because the municipality and the Department of Human Settlement are not acting fast enough

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